Ceiling access opening and bracket therefor



Dec. 28, 1965 RALLIS 3,225,503

CEILING ACCESS OPENING AND BRACKET THEREFOR Filed March 29, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 74 INVENTOR.

x/AIMES 6410 i mm w x Dec. 28, 1965 J. M. RALLIS CEILING ACCESS OPENINGAND BRACKET THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1963 I NVENTORL/AME s M E44 1 /s United States Patent 3,225,503 CEILING ACCESS OPENINGAND BRACKET THEREFOR James M. Rallis, 412 16th St., Brooklyn 15, N.Y.Filed Mar. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 269,098 7 Claims. (Cl. 52-497) The presentinvention relates in general to an auxiliary or suspended ceilingconstruction and in particular to such a ceiling construction havingprovision for an access opening therein which is provided with aremovable closure.

Ceilings of the type to which the present invention relates are formedof a plurality of tiles which are mounted in juxtaposed or abuttingrelation. While various attempts have heretofore been made to providefor the ready removal of one of such tiles so as to obtain an accessopening through said ceiling, the prior art devices have proven to beineflicient, relatively cumbersome and relatively expensive.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a ceiling construction of the described type which is providedwith a readily closeable access opening which obviates the variousobjections and disadvantages of prior art devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a suspendedceiling construction having a highly novel closeable access openingmeans provided therein which is highly efficient in operation and whichcan be provided in the ceiling at a relatively low cost.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro vide a suspendedor auxiliary ceiling of the described type which is provided with acloseable access opening defining means which is economical tomanufacture, to mount in position and which presents a highly attractiveand decorative appearance.

Other and further objects and advantages of the pres ent invention willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration ofthe following specification taken in connection with the appendeddrawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated forcarrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary exploded view partially in section of asuspended ceiling construction provided with means which define areadily closeable access opening therein pursuant to the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through that portion of thesuspended ceiling construction which is provided with the closeableaccess opening means pursuant to the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 and illustrates a suspendedceiling construction provided with a plurality of closeable accessopening means pursuant to the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a removable tile pursuant to thepresent invention which is removed from the suspended ceilingconstruction to define the access opening;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the tile illustrated in FIGURE 4 with aportion broken away;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded perspective view of a bracket or holder assemblyfor the access opening defining means pursuant to the present invention,the holder being illustrated as mounted in a channel or Z bar;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective exploded view of a modified form of holder orbracket assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the bracket or holder illustrated inFIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8a is a sectional view showing the bracket of FIGURES 6 and 8installed; and

3,225,503 Patented Dec. 28, 1965 FIGURE 9 is a bottom plan view of asuspended ceiling construction having a closeable opening means definedtherein pursuant to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a suspended ceilingconstruction 10 pursuant to the present invention lncludes a pluralityof square tiles 12 of conventional construction. The tiles 12 are eachprovided with a continuous peripheral groove which is defined therein.As best shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the lower peripheral side portions 16of the tiles 12 extend outwardly for a greater distance than the upperperipheral side portions 18. As is well known to those skilled in theart, the set-back conformation of the upper portions relative to thelower portions permits the sides of the tiles 12 to be readily mountedon adjacent supporting channel or Z bars 20.

As best shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 6, each channel or Z bar 20 which ispreferably formed from suitable sheet metal, comprises a vertical wall22 which is provided at the upper end thereof with the lateral flange 24which extends from one side of the wall 22. Inwardly of the freelongitudinal marginal edge 26 thereof the flange 24 is provided with adepressed portion 28 which extends parallel to the adjacent marginaledge 26. It will be understood that each channel member 26 is preferablyformed of a single strip of sheet metal and in addition to the flange 24which is provided preferably by bending at the upper end of the verticalwall 22, is provided also with a flange 30 which is formed by bendingand doubling the strip upon itself at the lower end of the vertical wall22 so that the double layer flange 30 extends from the wall 22 in adirection opposite to the direction of the upper flange 24. The materialof the strip from which the channel member 26 is formed continueslaterally of the wall 22 in the same direction as the upper flange 24 soas to define a single layer flange 32 which underlies and is spaced fromthe upper flange 24. The free longitudinal marginal edge of the flange32 is bent upon itself to define a bead 34 which is spaced laterallyfrom the wall 22. It will be readily apparent that the vertical wall 22provided with an upper flange 24 and a lower flange 32 both extending inthe same direction therefrom defines a channel construction. The flanges30 and 32 respectively fit in opposed grooves 14 of the abutting sidesof adjacent tiles 12 as will be apparent from FIGURE 9 and as is wellknown in the art.

In order to mount the suspended ceiling construction 10 from theoverlying permanent ceiling 36, the Z bars 20 are mounted on the lowersurface of the ceiling 36 by means of leaf springs 38. Each leaf spring38 is provided with a central body portion 40 and with opposite endportions 42 and 44 which are bent upwardly from the body portion 40. Anaperture 46 is defined in the body portion 40. The leaf spring 38 issecured on the lower surface of the main ceiling 36 by means of a screwor bolt 48 which passe-s through the aperture 46 and is threaded intothe main ceiling 36. In order to mount the Z bars 20 on the lowersurface of the ceiling 36, the upwardly bent end 42 of the spring 38 isengaged under the upper flange 24 in abutment with the depressed portion28 thereof as best shown in FIGURE 2 so that the depression 28 defines adetent for the free marginal edge of the end portion 42. It will bereadily apparent that as the screw 48 is threaded into the ceiling 36the spring 38 will be stressed so as to retain the Z members or bars 20in engagement with the main ceiling 36. It will be understood that asuflicient number of springs 38 are mounted in spaced relationlongitudinally of each member 20 to provide for the adequate securementof the latter to the undersurface of the main ceiling 36.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a suspended ceiling isdefined by means of the tiles 12 which are mounted by the lower flangesand 32 of the Z bars 20, the latter being engaged against theundersurface of the main ceiling 36 by the engagement of the leafsprings 38 with the upper flange 24 of the Z bar. The distance betweenthe upper ceiling 36 and the suspended ceiling 10 depends upon thelongitudinal dimension of the wall 22. In order to secure the ceiling 10to the walls of the building, the latter are provided with channels 52secured thereto as by the screws 54. The channels engage the outer sidesof the end tiles 12 so as to support the end tiles of the ceilingconstruction 10 in position.

Pursuant to a highly novel aspect of the present invention, provision ismade for obtaining access to the area between the suspended ceiling 10and the main ceiling 36. For this purpose, the tiles 16 are formed intomodified tiles 56. The tiles 56 are in all respects similar to the tiles12 except that the upper peripheral portion 18 along one marginal sideedge thereof are broken away or removed as shown in broken line inFIGURE 1 so that along said one marginal edge thereof from which theupper peripheral port-ion 18 has been removed the modified tile 56 hasonly the lower peripheral portion or kerf of the tile 12 which remainingportion is also designated by the reference numeral 16. The removal ofthe upper portion 18 provides a right angular step 58 at the marginaledge from which said portion 18 has been removed. Said right angularstep 58 is defined by the upper surface 60 of the underlying kerf orlower peripheral portion 16 and by the adjacent vertical surface 62which rises upwardly from the surface 60 and which was defined by theremoval of the upper peripheral portion 58. In addition to the removalof said one upper peripheral portion 18 from the tile 12 to form themodified tile 56, there is also provided in the latter an aperture 64adjacent or inwardly of the right angular step 58 which extendscompletely through the modified tile 56. Consequently, it will beunderstood that except for the removal of one of the upper peripheralportions 18 and the formation of an aperture 64 the tile 56 is in allother respects similar to the tile 12. In addition, it will beunderstood that along its marginal side edge in opposition to themarginal side edge in which there is defined the right angular step 58,the tile 56 is mounted in the same manner as previously described inconnection with the tiles 12, namely by the insertion of the doublelayer flange 30 of the Z bar 20 into the peripheral groove 14 in theopposing side marginal edge as shown for example in FIGURE 3 which showsan intermediate tile 56 having along its right peripheral edge viewingthe figure a groove 14 in which the double layer flange 30 is inserted.

As previously explained, it will be understood that in connection with anormal tile 12 the single thickness flange 32 of the Z bar 20 isinsertable into the peripheral groove 14 thereof while the doublethickness flange 30 of the Z bar is inserted into the adjacent groove 14of an adjacent tile 12. However, with the removal of the upperperipheral extension 18 from one marginal edge of the modified tile 56,it will be apparent that the tile 56 can no longer be supported alongits modified marginal edge by means of the single flange 32 or by meansof the double flange 30 since the groove 14 is no longer present at saidmodified edge. For this purpose, and pursuant to a highly novel featureof the present invention there is provided a bracket or holder assembly66 for mounting a tile 56 along the marginal edge thereof which isprovided with the right angular step 58. As best shown in FIGURES 6 and8, the bracket or holder assembly 66 comprises a bracket 68, a bolt 70,a nut 72 and a washer cap 74 which is illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.The bracket 68 is preferably formed of a strip of sheet metal which isbent or formed into a substantially right angled configuration. Thebracket 68 comprises a vertical arm 76 and a horizontal arm 78 which isin substantial right angular relation to the vertical arm 76. Betweenthe arms 76 and 78, there is defined a U- shaped bend 80 by means ofwhich the arm 78 is stepped upwardly relative to the bottom of arm 76.It will be understood that the U bend can be opened as shown in FIGURE 8or that it can be closed as for example by moving together the opposingportions of the U bend. At the upper or free end thereof the verticalarm 76 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 82 which is bent inthe same direction as the direction in which the arm 78 extends awayfrom the arm 76. The arm 76 is provided with an aperture and the arm 78is provided with an aperture 86. In order to mount a mod-ified tile 56along the marginal edge thereof which is provided with the right angularstep 58, the bracket 68 is mounted in a Z bar 20 in the mannerillustrated in FIGURE 6. More specifically and as best shown therein,the outer surface of the vertical arm 76 abuts the adjacent surface ofthe wall 22 of the Z bar with the flange 82 of the holder disposed inengagement with the lower surface of the flange 24 at the upper end ofthe wall 22. At its upper end, the holder 68 is retained in positionwithin the Z bar by engagement of the marginal edge 84 of flange 82 withthe detent 28 defined in the flange 24 of the Z bar. The U bend 80 isseated on the upper surface of the single lower flange 32 of the Z barand it will be noted that the U bend is engaged by the head 34 whichserves as a detent for the holder along the lower portion thereof. Inthis connection, it will be understood that the bead 34 does notconstitute an essential feature of the present invention. It may bedesirable where the head 34 is not utilized, to provide an aperture inthe wall 22 in registry with the aperture 85 in the arm 76 of the holderfor securing the holder to the Z bar by means of a bolt extendingthrough said apertures. With the holder 68 mounted in the Z bar asillustrated in FIGURE 6, the arm 76 will then overlie the tile 56 in themanner shown for example in FIG- URE 2 which illustrates a modified formof holder designated by the reference numeral which is hereinafterdescribed in detail. With the arm 78 overlying the tile 56, the aperture86 therein will be in registry with the aperture 64 in the tile and theflange 32 of the Z bar 20 will extend into the right angular step 58 ofthe tile 56 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The tile may then be readilyreleasably secured to the holder 68 by inserting the bolt 72 in anenlarged upper portion 92 of the aperture 64 as shown in FIGURE 2. Thebolt 70 may then be readily threaded through the aperture 86 in theholder and through the bolt 72 so as to extend through and outwardlyfrom the aperture 64. At the bottom or lower surface of the tile 56, thewasher cap 74 is engaged in threaded relation on to the exposed portionof the bolt 70.

A modified form of bracket assembly 94 utilizing the modified holder orbracket 90 is illustrated in FIGURE 7. In addition to the holder orbracket 90, the bracket assembly 94 also includes the bolt 70, the nut72 and the washer cap 74. The holder 90 is also formed of a strip ofsheet metal which is bent upon itself to define a substantially rightangular configuration. As here shown, the holder 90 is provided with avertical arm 96 and with a horizontal arm 98 which is in substantiallyright angular relation to the vertical arm 96. A U bend 100 isinterposed at the junction between the arms 96 and 98 and serves to stepup the arm 98 relative to the bottom of the arm 96, the same manner asin connection with the relationship between the arms 76 and 78 of theholder 68 and the U bend 80 therebetween. At the upper end thereof thearm 96 is provided with an inwardly bent flange portion 102 whichextends in the same direction as the direction in which the arm 98extends away from the arm 96. The holder 90 also includes a horizontalflange 104 which overlies and is parallel to the underlying horizontalarm 98. An integral angular portion 106 extends between the flangeportion 102 and the flange 104. An aperture 108 is defined in the flange104 and an underlying aperture in registry therewith as indicated at 110is defined in the underlying horizontal arm 98.

The holder 90 is mounted in the Z bar 20 as best shown in FIGURES l and2. In this connection, it will be noted that the holder 90 issubstantially similar to the holder 68 in that the holder 90 containsthe various parts of the holder 68, except the aperture 84 of the latterand in addition is provided with the additional lower flange 104 andwith the angular port-ion 106 which extends from the upper flangeportion 102 to the lower flange 104 of the holder 90. Consequently, theholder 90 is mounted in the Z bar 20 in substantially the same manner asthe holder 68. More specifically, the upper flange 102 of the holder 90is seated between the depressed detent 28 in the upper flange 24 of theZ bar and the upper end of the vertical wall 22. The vertical arm 96 ofthe holder 94 engages the inner surface of the vertical wall 22 and theU bend 100 thereof is seated on the lower single flange 32 of the Z barbeing engaged with the bead 34 as best shown in FIGURE 2. As previouslyindicated, it will be understood that the bead 34 is not an essentialfeature of the present invention and furthermore that the U bend 100 canbe open as shown or it can be closed by pinching together the opposingvertical portions thereof. The horizontal arm 98 is engaged on the uppersurface of the modified tile 56, the single lower flange 32 of the Z barbeing seated within the right angular step of the tile 56 as best shownin FIGURE 2. The nut 72 is inserted into the enlarged upper portion 92of the aperture 64 and the apertures 108 and 110 being in registery andbeing disposed in registry with the underlying aperture in the tile, thebolt 70 is then threaded through the aligned apertures and through thenut 72 so as to project from the lower surface of the tile 56. Thewasher cap 74 is then threaded onto the projecting portion of the bolt70.

When utilizing either the bracket or holder 68 or the bracket or holder90, the tile 56 which is mounted thereby may readily and expeditiouslybe removed from the ceiling so as to obtain access to the space betweenthe drop ceiling 10 and the upper ceiling 36. This is accomplished in avery simple manner by merely removing the washer nut 74 from the bolt 70so as to release the tile 56 from the associated holder. The tile maythen be tilted downwardly from the ceiling 10 so as to disengage theopposed marginal side thereof from the double layer flange 30 of theadjacent Z bar which extends into the groove 14 which is defined in themarginal edge of the tile 56 opposite that provided with the rightangular step 60. In either case, whether using the holder 68 or theholder 90 it will be readily apparent that there is provided a means forreadily removing one of the tiles of the ceiling 10 for obtaining accessto the space between the drop ceiling and the permanent ceiling.

It will be readily apparent that the arrangement of the foregoing holderassemblies and the utilization of a modified tile 56 provides arelatively inexpensive means for obtaining a removable access openingclosure means for a drop ceiling which is less expensive than thearrangements proposed in the prior art. Moreover the holder devices ofthe present invention provide better support for the removable tile 56than is possible with prior art constructions because the holders of thepresent invention are mounted within the channel of the Z bar defined byits upper flange 24, its lower flange 32 and the vertical wall 22extending therebetween. Moreover, it will be noted that in each of theholders of the present invention, the horizontal arm which extendstherefrom abuts the upper surface of the modified tile 56 and is securedthereto by means of the bolt 70. As a result, there is less stressprovided on the channel 22 and there is a slight resilience provided bymeans of the holder arrangement of the present invention which minimizesthe stress or tension to which the Z bar 20 is subjected.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that pursuant to thepresent invention there has been provided a highly novel and efiicientarrangement for providing a removable access opening closure in a dropceiling of the type which is described. It will be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made therein without howeverdeparting from the inventive concept thereof as set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. In a suspended tile ceiling construction, an elongated member forsupporting the tiles of said ceiling in spaced relation below a mainceiling, said member having a vertical wall provided with substantiallyright angled flanges at the upper and lower ends thereof which define achannel and with an additional right angled flange at said lower endwhich extends in a direction opposite to the lower channel definingflange, said upper flange being adapted to be secured to the mainceiling and said additional channel being adapted to support a tile, andholder means mounted within said channel for supporting a tile closureplate in said ceiling, said holder means comprising substantially rightangular bracket means having a vertical body portion abutting saidvertical wall, an upper substantially right angled flange means abuttingthe upper flange of said channel, a substantially right angled lowerflange provided with aperture means defined therein for receiving asecuring means whereby said holder is adapted to be releasably securedto the upper surface of the tile closure plate and a substantiallyreverse L- shaped bend abutting the lower flange of said channel, saidbend extending between the bottom of said vertical body portion and thelower flange of said bracket means, said lower flange of said holdermeans being disposed between said channel defining flanges and extendinglaterally therefrom, said upper channel defining flange having a detentportion for retaining said upper holder flange in position, and saidlower channel defining flange having a detent portion for retaining saidlower holder flange in position.

2. A suspended tile ceiling construction as in claim 1, said detentportion of said lower channel defining flange being a bead defined atthe free marginal edge of said lower channel defining flange.

3. In a suspended tile ceiling construction, an elongated member forsupporting the tiles of said ceiling in spaced relation below a mainceiling, said member having a vertical wall provided with substantiallyright angled flanges at the upper and lower ends thereof which define achannel and with an additional right angled flange at said lower endwhich extends in a direction opposite to the lower channel definingflange, said upper flange being adapted to be secured to the mainceiling and said additional channel being adapted to support a tile, andholder means mounted within said channel for supporting a tile closureplate in said ceiling, said holder means comprising substantially rightangular bracket means having a vertical body portion abutting saidvertical wall, an upper substantially right angled flange means abuttingthe upper flange of said channel, a substantially right angled lowerflange provided with aperture means defined therein for receiving asecuring means whereby said holder is adapted to be releasably securedto the upper surface of the tile closure plate and a substantiallyreversed L- shaped bend abutting the lower flange of said channel, saidbend extending between the bottom of said vertical body portion and thelower flange of said bracket means, said lower flange of said holdermeans being disposed between said channel defining flanges and extendinglaterally therefrom, said upper channel defining flange having a detentportion for retaining said upper holder flange in position, and saidlower channel defining flange having a detent portion for retaining saidlower flange in position, said bracket means having a flange extensionextending downwardly from the upper flange of said bracket means andhaving a portion overlying in parallel relation, the lower flange ofsaid bracket means, said overlying portion having aperture means definedtherein in registry with said first mentioned aperture means forreceiving the securing means.

4. A suspended tile ceiling construction as in claim 3, said detentportion of said upper channel defining flange engaging the junction ofthe upper flange of said bracket means and said flange extension.

5. A suspended tile construction as in claim 3, and a threaded boltextending through said registered apertures for securement to the tileclosure plate, and a capped washer for engagement with the free end ofsaid bolt projecting from the bottom of the tile closure plate.

6. A bracket for supporting a closure plate in a suspended tile ceilingcarried by flanged channel members, said bracket comprising a verticalbody portion, substantially right angled flange means at the upper endof said body portion, a substantially reversed L-shaped bend at thelower end of said body portion, a substantially right angled lowerflange extending from said L-shaped bend in the same direction as saidflange means and laterally thereof, and a flange extension extendingdownwardly from said upper end flange means, said flange extensionhaving a flange portion in overlying parallel abutting relation withsaid lower flange and an oblique portion extending downwardly from saidupper end flange means to said overlying flange portion.

7. A bracket as in claim 6, and registering apertures defined in saidoverlying flange portion and in said lower flange.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,101,001 11/1937Baldutf 52486 2,229,064 1/ 1941 Finch 52484 2,317,015 4/ 1943 Allen 52512 2,368,620 2/ 1945 Strom 52242 2,514,926 7/ 1950 Benson 526242,736,406 2/ 1956 Johnson 52492 2,803,858 8/1957 Radar 52-464 2,877,8783/1959 Jantsch 52488 2,888,113 5/ 1959 Schwartz et al. 5228 2,890,583 6/1959 Grosskortenhaus 52502 3,023,866 3/1962 Moore 52489 3,089,569 5/1963Shults 52489 FOREIGN PATENTS 237,568 2/ 1962 Australia.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

EA-RL J. WITMER, JACOB L. NACKENOFF,

Examiners.

1. IN A SUPENDED TILE CEILING CONSTRUCTION, AN ELONGATED MEMBER FORSUPPORTING THE TILES OF SAID CEILING IN SPACED RELATION BELOW A MAINCEILING, SAID MEMBER HVING A VERTICAL WALL PROVIDED WITH SUBSTANTIALLYRIGHT ANGLED FLANGES AT THE UPPER AND LOWER ENDS THEREOF WHICH DEFINE ACHANNEL AND WITH AN ADDITIONAL RIGHT ANGLED FLANGE AT SAID LOWER ENDWHICH EXTENDS IN A DIRECTION OPPOSITE TO THE LOWER CHANNEL DEFININGFLANGE, SAID UPPER FLANGE BEING ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE MAINCEILING AND SAID ADDITIONAL CHANNEL BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A TITLE,AND HOLDER MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CHANNEL FOR SUPPORTING A TILECLOSURE PLATE IN SAID CEILING, SAID HOLDER MEANS COMPRISINGSUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGULAR BRACKET MEANS HAVING A VERTICAL BODY PORTIONABUTTING SAID VERTICAL WALL, AN UPPER SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLED FLANGEMENS ABUTTING THE UPPER FLANGE OF SAID CHANNEL, A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHTANGLED LOWER FLANGE PROVIDED WITH APERTURE MEANS DEFINED THEREIN FORRECEIVING A SECURING MEANS WHEREBY SAID HOLDER IS ADAPTED TO BERELEASABLY SECURED TO THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE TILE CLOSURE PLATE AND ASUBSTANTIALLY REVERSE LSHAPED BEND ABUTTING TEH LOWER FLANGE OF SAIDCHANNEL, SAID BEND EXTENDING BETWEEN THE BOTTOM OF SAID VERTICAL BODYPORTION AND THE LOER FLANGE OF SAID BRACKET MEANS SAID LOWER FLANGE OFSAID HOLDER MEANS BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID CHANNEL DEFINING FLANGESAND EXTENDING LATERALLY TEHREFROM, SAID UPPER CHANNEL DEFINING FLANGEHAVING A DETENT PORTION FOR RETAINING SAID UPPER HOLDER FLANGE INPOSITION, AND SAID LOWER CHANNEL DEFINING FLANGE HAVING A DETENT PORTIONFOR RETAINING SAID LOWER HOLDER FLANGE IN POSITION.